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Mountain West invites Fresno and Nevada, WAC implications?

I think the most compelling reason to move to the WAC and FBS is exposure and growing the program. We can get better TV revenue and expand our brand. SDHornet was right about SJSU being screwed because of their geographic location. They get no coverage thanks to Stanford being 15 minutes away, Cal 40 minutes away 3 WCC schools and an NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS franchises in their back yard. However Sacramento only has the Kings and the 20th largest media market in the nation. The elevated level of play can finally get us some attention. I don’t personally see winning the Sky as launching our program’s popularity in the region. I don’t think 90% of Sacramento residents even know what the Big Sky is.

With Fresno and Nevada gone, I still think the WAC would be worth joining. We’re in a conference currently no regional rivals, WAC has at least one. San Jose State is only a few hours away, and if UCFE and Poly were invited also, we would have three California rivals. The other schools (excluding Hawaii and LA Tech who I think is gone anyway), are in the same region as our other Big Sky rivals. I also think Hawaii will have the same appeal as Montana, call me crazy. ;) I know they bring a crowd when they come to SJSU.

I think the Sky is a great conference but I just want to see us have the potential to grow. The San Jose State message board has brought up the scenario of returning to the Big West and going FCS. I think Hawaii has also talked about joining the Big West but going indy in football. If these schools are serious about going FCS, the Sky should be all over this. Offer SJSU, Idaho, NMSU and Utah State membership. If not and SJSU joins the BWC, we should attempt to do the same. There would be 5 football schools, 6 if Southern Utah was invited (lets be honest, the Great West is done for). Northern Arizona or NMSU could possibly be wooed in this situation too.
 
Wow. Am stunned by what happened today.

Back in July I thought Sac State would be the favorite to take Boise St's place: mainly because you had a stadium that was ready and would have three immediate rivals in SJSU, FSU, and Reno. Now there is only SJSU.

I really think that the WAC's focus has now shifted to keep La Tech and NMSU in the conference, as the WAC absolutely needs all six to build back up. Idaho, Utah St, and SJSU have no other football options (except FCS). La Tech and NMSU could end up in the Sun Belt or CUSA. Hopefully, the $5 million buyout is still in place for everbody, otherwise it becomes nearly impossible.

So instead of focusing on Sac State and Portland St, Texas St and UTSA might get more attention. Adding at least one of those two would placate La Tech and NMSt. Later, the WAC goes to 10 with a California school and Montana. Then maybe 12 (if La Tech and NMStU) haven't left with two more, so divisional play can begin.

All that said, I still think Sac State has a number of factors going for it - even in comparison with UCDavis. Your stadium is FBS ready (the WAC practically has to insist on FBS-capable stadium immediately), your tuition is less so that adding the scholarships for FBS is not as large budget issue, and you already have a relationship with the WAC.

Finally, you really need to take the risk to go to FBS. FCS will never mean anything in Sacramento, even if you did win. While the TV contract for the WAC won't be worth cr*p now, the exposure will be much higher, and the payouts you receive from other FBS schools would be higher and more frequent. Finally, FCS football in the west is entering a disaster phase: NAU finances are in crisis, as are ISU's and EWU's, and UCD's. If given an FBS opportunity, take it and run with it. It's really the only chance for Sac St football to really live long-term.
 
What do we have to do to move up to the WAC? If I recall, we can join the WAC in all sports and be eligible for WAC championships, but we will have to wait for a few years, for football.

What would it cost us to move to the WAC?

Is the WAC, better without Boise, Fresno, and Nevada?

Is the WAC worth joining if Portland St. and Cal Poly are in the WAC? That means San Jose St. New Mexico St., Utah St, Idaho, and Hawaii? I think LA Tech, now wants to leave the WAC, ASAP.
 
What if the WAC were to invest in future stability by adding SAC, CP and UCD (maybe PSU) all at once, maybe even PSU? Sure the conference would get smacked around a bit for a few years while, recruiting and facilities could catch up... But, I think they may have to take a hard look at that option if they truly want to be the "Western" Athletic Conference...
 
You guys certainly work fast. I just saw the Yahoo! report as I was logging in now.

All y'all make good points. As far as I'm concerned, this move kinda-sorta kills a Sac jump IF it were to be Sac only. Any Sac jump to the WAC for all sports (remember, we're already there for baseball and gymnastics, something certain Sky fans tend to forget) would likely have to be done in company with several schools you have already metioned. The Manure Pile and Cow Poly would be the easiest (assuming, that is, that they see the value in leaving the Big West). I can see Portland State and Texas State. I'd love to see Montana, but that's going to get tied up in Idaho-Boise style internal politics with Montana State, which has no business making such a move.

I can see a fairly good WAC resulting from all of that. It's up to Benson, however, to make the case to the ADs and Presidents involved.
 
Wow, what a shocker! With the departure of Fresno and Nevada the WAC is far less attractive. A WAC including Fresno, Nevada, davis, Poly and San Jose State all within 200 miles of each other, would have brought a lot of interest and great crowds all around. A WAC with Idaho, Utah State New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech and possibly Texas State holds little interest for me and I doubt that it would excite too many fans in the area, it is not worth the effort. If that is what we are looking at we should stay in the Big Sky or the foreseeable future until a more “regional alignment” becomes available. The Big Sky is not perfect fit for us, there is little connection or interest for any of the member schools but it is at least a secure home for many of our team until something better comes along.
 
Green Cookie Monster said:
Kadeezy said:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5477045
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No mention of Sac State.
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Whatever. It'll catch the lamestream media more off guard when we are announced as accepting a WAC invite, and I'll laugh my arse off :lol:

EDIT: Actually, Andy Katz in his column mentions us from Benson's conference call http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/14499/wac-commish-karl-benson-comes-out-firing
 
We are one of the WAC's options from several sources, but what position we are on that list I have no idea. The WAC has been forced to take an action, and take it very soon. The WAC has 2 years to field at least 8 qualified teams for football. That means he needs to get these schools on board now so they can be ready by 2012. Regardless if its us or not, we should know the solution to this situation soon.

Here's how I see it

Texas State: Good chance, but only if LA Tech sticks around. Also I think they have interest from the Sun Belt (No official source, just a hunch from some rumors in other message boards)

UTSA: For some reason I feel they might turn their nose up at the WAC. I think they are looking for a more prestigious conference, i.e. CUSA. I also think they are being wooed by the Sun Belt (again, only a hunch)

Cal Poly: The program has made a great name for itself and I think the other WAC members would like to have them. Their only hang up is facilities. Their football stadium would need an expansion and they would also need to expand their gym. I think if they were invited they would probably be able to fund the needed upgrades.

Montana: What can I say that already hasn't been said. They are satisfied with being a big fish in a small pond, but they are always talking about how they could be the next Boise State. With all the Athletic cuts they've had, I'm not sure they would be willing to take the plunge. I also think their fans (a lot of them any way) would be scared to become another Idaho. I think in the end they really would prefer to reach the FCS championship game annually and continue to beat up on other FCS schools. That way they can talk big $h!t and always wonder what could have been without feeling the sting of what was.

UCFE: There has been a lot of speculation regarding the agricultural institution, but I think they are less likely a member than us. They have already had to cut sports, and would need to build costly additions to the pig pen. I don't think they would be willing to pony up big bucks to do so. They are also in a situation where they would almost definitely be another Idaho. However, I think if Sac State got an Invite and accepted they would accept as well.

Weber State: They were mentioned in the NCAA report as a possible replacement, and I think they could be a good one. If we were invited I'd like to see them come along too. They have the facilities and would give regional rivalries with Utah State, NMSU and Idaho. All they need is Purple turf :mrgreen:

Portland State: Same boat as us. Stadium is large enough, could rent out Rose Garden or the Coliseum. Only I think we have an edge on being closer to current and potential members.

I think we could be one of the top candidates. We offer the 20th largest media market, we have most of the facilities done with quick fixes readily available, and we are already a member. I think the move would be good, and the athletic department has to see this as their golden opportunity. I don't think we are going to get this chance again for a long time. I'm excited at the prospect, but I won't hold my breath. I have no clue how this is going to pan out, but its fun to dream though!
 
Well put SJ. I wouldn't be surprised if the WAC invited all of those schools. :lol: :|

SJHornet said:
UCFE: There has been a lot of speculation regarding the agricultural institution, but I think they are less likely a member than us. They have already had to cut sports, and would need to build costly additions to the pig pen. I don't think they would be willing to pony up big bucks to do so. They are also in a situation where they would almost definitely be another Idaho. However, I think if Sac State got an Invite and accepted they would accept as well.
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Not to mention they might be facing litigation from some of the people who just had their sports cut. If they turned around and offered more men's scholarships, I think some people over there would blow their lid.

Basically it's now or never. This is probably the last serious opportunity any western FCS school has at making a move to FBS. The only other option would be to jump as in independent, but the NCAA has been cracking down on that option.
 
http://www.utahstateaggies.com.../081910aab.html

New report has USU being offered a MWC invite first but declining wanting to stay in the WAC with partners Fresno and Reno. Since Fresno/Reno have left USU holding the bag and egg on their face by staying in the WAC, does USU change its mind and accept the MWC invite? They have until Saturday to make a decision.

The plot thickens. If USU does indeed accept the MWC invite that leaves the WAC with:
SJSU
Hawaii
NMSU
Idaho
La Tech

To equalize La Tech and NMSU the WAC will add TXST.
Montana to travel with Idaho
Portland State to travel with Hawaii
And one from Sac State, Cal Poly or UCFE

That would give it 9 football playing schools and add BYU for everything non-football for a 10 team WAC.
Add Denver, Seattle if needed.
 
Green Cookie Monster said:
http://www.utahstateaggies.com.../081910aab.html

New report has USU being offered a MWC invite first but declining wanting to stay in the WAC with partners Fresno and Reno. Since Fresno/Reno have left USU holding the bag and egg on their face by staying in the WAC, does USU change its mind and accept the MWC invite? They have until Saturday to make a decision.

The plot thickens. If USU does indeed accept the MWC invite that leaves the WAC with:
SJSU
Hawaii
NMSU
Idaho
La Tech

To equalize La Tech and NMSU the WAC will add TXST.
Montana to travel with Idaho
Portland State to travel with Hawaii
And one from Sac State, Cal Poly or UCFE

That would give it 9 football playing schools and add BYU for everything non-football for a 10 team WAC.
Add Denver, Seattle if needed.
Click to expand...

At this point, I do not see any school being off the KB radar. With the bottom feeders that are left, the conference will be cash strapped sooner than later. Frozen tundra and the smell of oil make a sweet aroma for the likes of KB, and would not be surprised to see casual overtures made to the Dakotas.

We keep getting mentioned in statements by KB, and I agree with all the posters regarding stadium, arena, etc. Let's not forget that we have a big bargaining chip, the 20th largest media market, and all the WAC current members know it.
 
How stable is the six member WAC?

Why would the MWC stop at 10 schools and not go to 12 schools, for a championship game? With BYU they have 11 schools. Without BYU they have 10. So, Utah St. makes sense for a 12 team MWC.

Then the WAC is really scrambling. Is that a situation, we want to get ourselves into? What if we accept a WAC invitation and then Utah St. leaves two months later? Much like Boise leaving for MWC thinking Utah and BYU were going to be in the conference.

La. Tech can't like what is happening in the WAC. Do they make a bid for Conf. USA?

Nobody can predict the future, but we know about the WAC's past. Is this something we want to get into?
 
JackHornet said:
Nobody can predict the future, but we know about the WAC's past. Is this something we want to get into?
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If Sac State ever wants to go FBS, this is something we have to get into.

If we don't persue this Cal Poly and UCFE certainly will and then the door will close on the chapter of Hornet football as FCS is dead on the west coast.

I love the quotes from the AD's at Sac State, CP and UCFE, they all three have basically said we are waiting to wait, no commital or eager desire to move up. You'd think these three schools would have discussed this in depth and have a plan as this league development has been in the works for months.
 
We don't have a winning tradition in the Big Sky. Why not try our luck in the WAC. The remaining WAC is a bunch of scrubs which MAY give us a great chance of immediate success in the FBS. Not be another Idaho anyway.

I also have to ask, how long will our football program survive being a scrub/mediocre in the FCS? How much interest does our fan base have in playing Northern Colorado or Western Oregon? At least in the WAC we can schedule some decent OOC games and get some exposure on ESPN and CSN. The only time we have decent crowds are when the farm extension come to town.

To change subjects: yet another reason I think we are one of the best candidates along with Portland State and UCFE are we will have no intentions of moving to another conference in the future. We get in the WAC, that’s where we are going to want to stay. Texas State, UTSA, North Texas and potentially Poly will all possibly be looking towards the MWC, CUSA and even Sun Belt as future homes. I think the Texas schools (and MAYBE Poly) would see the WAC as a temporary home as they attempted to gain access to the other conferences that have bigger presences in the Midwest, Southeast and Rocky Mountain regions .

Anyway, until any announcements are made, everything is speculation. Another 2 cents (I must be up to 25cents by now)
 
SJHornet said:
Another 2 cents (I must be up to 25cents by now)
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Mail it to Wanless, he will need every dime he can dig out of the sofa.

I think the WAC will retool by adding UTEP, TXST, UTSA and possibly Montana or Portland. Yes, the later has to add sports but that is trivial with accepting an FBS invite. Portland has a brand new stadium and is eager to fill it.

I just don't get the warm fuzzies with Sac State's financial or executive ability to act on this once-in-a-decade opportunity. If we were serious we would have a plan for the arena and stadium and a go-to-market strategy that involves the public. As Wanless admitted today in the Bee, Sac State hasn't even contacted the WAC to show interest.

The first rule of thumb in being given the job is to show interest.
 
Green Cookie Monster said:
SJHornet said:
Another 2 cents (I must be up to 25cents by now)
Click to expand...
Portland has a brand new stadium and is eager to fill it.
Click to expand...
I think PGE Park is more interested in the Timbers filling the seats than the Vikings

The first rule of thumb in being given the job is to show interest.
Click to expand...
There was a lot of activity at the Broad Center last night as I walked past (around 9 or so). I wonder if they were contemplating the possibilities (could be wishful thinking on my part)
 
Green Cookie Monster said:
SJHornet said:
Another 2 cents (I must be up to 25cents by now)
Click to expand...

Mail it to Wanless, he will need every dime he can dig out of the sofa.

I think the WAC will retool by adding UTEP, TXST, UTSA and possibly Montana or Portland. Yes, the later has to add sports but that is trivial with accepting an FBS invite. Portland has a brand new stadium and is eager to fill it.

I just don't get the warm fuzzies with Sac State's financial or executive ability to act on this once-in-a-decade opportunity. If we were serious we would have a plan for the arena and stadium and a go-to-market strategy that involves the public. As Wanless admitted today in the Bee, Sac State hasn't even contacted the WAC to show interest.

The first rule of thumb in being given the job is to show interest.
Click to expand...

Well, he said Sac State hasn't contacted the WAC, but that doesn't mean the WAC hasn't contacted Sac State. And if they have, they want to keep it very close to the chest so if there is an invite, the school wants to make sure it gets all the i's dotted and t's crossed.
 
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